The Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson Read Free Book Online Page A

preparation for him, they conjured up visual illusions. 2 When he entered the fortress, he saw a hall. It was so high that he could scarcely see over it, and golden shields covered its roof like shingles. As Thjodolf of Hvin 3 says, Valhalla [Hall of the Slain] was roofed with shields:
    On their backs they let shine
hall shingles of Svafnir [Odin],
when bombarded with stones,
those resourceful men.
    Gylfi saw a man in the doorway of the hall. He was juggling short swords and had seven in the air at once. The man spoke first, asking the visitor’s name. Gylfi named himself Gangleri, saying that he had travelled over trackless paths. He asked for a night’s lodging and inquired who owned the hall. The man answered that it belonged to their king.
    â€˜I can take you to see him; then you can ask him his name yourself.’ The man then turned and went ahead into the hall. Gylfi followed him and immediately the door closed after him. He saw many living areas there and groups of people. Some were playing games, some were drinking, and some had weapons and were fighting. He looked around, and it seemed to him that much of what he was seeing was incredible. Then he said:
    â€˜All doorways
before entering
gaze into carefully;
one never knows
where on the benches
enemies are sitting.’
    (
Sayings of the High One. 1
)
    He saw three thrones, each one higher than the other. Three men sat there, one in each seat. He asked the name of their ruler. The man guiding him replied that the king was in the lowest of the high seats; he was called High. Next came the one called Just-as-High, while the one highest up was called Third. 4
    Then High asked the new arrival if there was some more pressing cause of his visit, although he was welcome to food and drink as were all in the hall of the High One. Gylfi replied that he wanted to know first whether there was a wise man in the hall. High said that Gylfi would not escape unharmed unless he grew wiser, adding:
    â€˜Stand forward while you inquire;
The one who recounts shall sit.’
3. THE ALL-FATHER
    Gangleri began to question: ‘Who is the highest or the oldest of all the gods?’
    High replied, ‘He is called All-Father in our language, but in Asgard the Old, he has twelve names: one is All-Father, a second is Herran or Herjan [Lord], a third is Nikar or Hnikar [Thruster], a fourth is Nikuz or Hnikud [Thruster], a fifth is Fjolnir [Wise One], a sixth Oski [Fulfiller of Desire], a seventh Omi [Resounding One], an eighth Biflidi or Biflindi [Spear Shaker], a ninth Svidar, a tenth Svidrir, an eleventh Vidrir [Ruler of Weather] and a twelfth Jalg or Jalk [Gelding].’
    Then Gangleri asked, ‘Where is this god? What is he capable of doing and what outstanding deeds has he done?’
    High replied, ‘He lives through all ages and governs all things in his realm. He decides all matters, great or small.’
    Then Just-as-High said, ‘He made heaven, earth and the skies and everything in them.’
    Then Third said, ‘Most important, he created man and gave him a living spirit that will never die, even if the body rots to dust or burns to ashes. All men who are righteous shall live and be with him in that place called Gimle or Vingolf. But evil men go to Hel 1 and from there into Niflhel 2 [Dark Hel], which is below in the ninth world.
    Gangleri then asked: ‘What did he do before heaven and earth were created?’
    High answered, ‘Back then, he was with the frost giants.’
4. NIFLHEIM AND MUSPELLSHEIM
    Gangleri asked, ‘What was the beginning, or how did things start? What was there before?’
    High answered, ‘As it says in
The Sibyl’s Prophecy
:
    Early of ages
when nothing was.
There was neither sand nor sea
nor cold waves.
The earth was not found
nor the sky above.
Ginnungagap 1 was there,
but grass, nowhere.’        (
The Sibyl’s Prophecy. 3
)
    Next Just-as-High said, ‘Niflheim